Monday, August 15, 2011

It's easy, on this blog, to focus more on Eden's progress and accomplishments, and to sometimes gloss over what Holland can do. It's a blog. I only update a couple of times a month, and generally highlight only the most monumental events in our lives. Eden's disability is obviously more severe, and everything major milestone she reaches is celebrated as spectacular - which it is! She has to work SO hard to achieve the things that come so easily for most of us, and we rejoice so much in Eden's accomplishments.

But I don't want to overlook the wonderful and amazing things that Holland is learning and accomplishing as well. Holland has a disability too. She was diagnosed with mild hypotonic cerebral palsy when she was two years old and just learning to walk. She also has a mild left hemiplegia - meaning that the left side of her body is more affected and has developed more slowly than her right. She has made really great progress physically over the past few years, and is able to run, jump, climb, and generally do most of what other kids her age can do. It is easy for us to forget that Holland even has CP when it's just the four of us, because we have only Eden to compare her to. The only time it really becomes apparent to us is when we see her around her peers, particularly when engaging in a physical activity.

Holland has a hard time keeping up with other kids her age. When she runs, she still pumps with her right hand fisted, and with her left hand open out in space. We have to remind her to "use your left hand!!" She does a great job of climbing up the play structures at the playground, but has a hard time getting herself back down. When playing a drum beat, she can move her right hand about twice as fast as she can her left. She still has a hard time dressing and undressing herself, let alone her dolls and Barbies. She gets tired pretty easily, and at events that require a lot of walking, will still ask to be carried at least part of the time. Writing is also a challenge - she is able to write and draw nicely, but tires quickly and gives up easily. Attention and anxiety are also issues that we deal with - nothing severe enough to warrant formal diagnosis at this point, but challenges nonetheless.

I say all of that just to highlight the fact that Holland's accomplishments are a BIG DEAL to us too! She might not have to work quite as hard as Eden to do simple tasks, but she still has to work a lot harder than your average kid.

This summer, like last, Holland did two weeks of gymnastics camp and two weeks of art camp while Eden was at CLC. I was particularly impressed with how well she did at gymnastics this year. She was able to run completely across the gym, on a squishy padded floor, without falling! She was able to jump really high with BOTH feet on the trampoline, without falling! She was able to hold herself up longer on the bars! She was able to hold herself up on the rope swing! And probably the most notable difference was that this year she could walk the length of the balance beam without falling - she couldn't do this at ALL last year!!! :-)

Check it out!!

She also brought home some really cool art projects, and seemed to do a good job of making friends.

An elephant made out of glitter clay...

A bird, in his natural habitat, made from sand clay...

And a pencil sketch of her family...

Way to go Holland! We are so proud of you and think you are amazing too!

Yeah Holland!! We have this scenario too with Madelyn (she still receives OT for her challenges similar to Holland's but unless someone works with her they'd never guess that she even has any challenges). And Johnathan too, other than the hearing aids he doesn't appear too far off from his peers but he has some major hand/eye coordination issues and body awareness issues. Great job mama being sure to give credit to Holland too, it is easy to get wrapped up in how awesome the severly affected child is doing compared to those more "typical". Again, go Holland!!

I have been reading the kids progress (and yours) from the beginning and am amazed at how far they've come and how much you've endured! One comment really tore at my heart (I love them so much it hurts!). You are such a good mother and wonderful parents to the loveliest kids in the world! I wish you and the babies lots of love and happiness and pray for a healthy future for them.

Way to go Holland. What great ways to work on areas she finds difficulty but still allowing her to have fun. I love how much Elizabeth benefits from gymnastics the anxiety part has limited her recent involvement as she is very aware of her difficulties.Anxiety is difficult for her right now, would love to hear what you is working or not for Holland.

I love the art stuff - especially the bird in its natural habitat. Fantastic!

It's hard, isn't it, when you have twins, to not compare them to each other. Especially when one is a little (or a lot) ahead of the other.

I can't believe the progress Eden has made. What an amazing camp and opportunity for her. I also think you as parents need to receive some kudos as well for making the sacrifices necessary to make things happen for both girls. I can't imagine that those camps are cheap and with everything the girls need, you put enormous resources, mental, physical, and financial into their lives. The littlest thing, like going to the pool, is an event. It would be so much easier to just stay in your room.

You are an inspiration to all of us who have it so "easy". Thank you for always inspiring me to give more of myself, my time, and my energy so my girls can succeed in every way they possibly can.